Packers-Bears Rivalry Heats Up: December Doubleheader Could Decide NFC North
There’s always something special about Packers-Bears. It’s the NFL’s oldest rivalry, steeped in history, grit, and enough bad blood to fill Lake Michigan.
But this year? This year, it’s more than just tradition - it’s about the NFC North crown, playoff seeding, and two teams peaking at exactly the right time.
And now, they’re set to face off twice in a span of three weeks. Once at Lambeau Field this Sunday, and again in Week 16 under the lights at Soldier Field.
Two December showdowns. One division potentially hanging in the balance.
Buckle up.
Primetime in Chicago: NFL Elevates Week 16 Clash
The NFL knows a good story when it sees one. The league has officially moved the Week 16 Packers-Bears rematch into primetime - a 7:20 p.m.
CT kickoff on FOX. That’s right: five days before Christmas, in the cold, under the lights at Soldier Field, with playoff implications on the line.
It doesn’t get more old-school than that.
But before we get there, Round 1 kicks off this Sunday in the late afternoon window at Lambeau. And it’s shaping up to be just as pivotal.
NFC North Race: Two Teams, One Crown (for Now)
Chicago enters the week sitting atop the NFC at 9-3, riding high after a statement win in Philadelphia. It wasn’t just a win - it was the kind of performance that signals this team is for real.
Ben Johnson’s squad has rattled off five straight victories and hasn’t lost since Week 7. Their only real blemish came way back in Week 2, a 52-21 blowout at Ford Field.
Green Bay, meanwhile, is 8-3-1 and undefeated in the division at 3-0. Matt LaFleur’s team has found its rhythm, winning three straight and dropping just two games since a disappointing Week 3 loss to Cleveland. The Packers are clicking, and they’re doing it at exactly the right time.
So here we are. Two rivals.
Two red-hot teams. Both with realistic shots at the division and the top seed in the NFC.
It’s not just rare - it’s unprecedented in recent memory.
Detroit Fading, But Not Gone
Let’s not forget about Detroit. The Lions were the early darlings of the NFC North, but they’ve hit a rough patch, dropping three of their last five to fall to 7-5. Their Thanksgiving loss to Green Bay stung, and their upcoming schedule - including matchups with the Cowboys and Rams - doesn’t offer much relief.
The door is open, and the Packers and Bears are charging through it.
What’s at Stake?
The math is simple, but the implications are massive.
- If Green Bay sweeps the Bears: They’ll be no worse than 10-4-1 after Week 16, while Chicago could be no better than 10-5. That puts the Packers in control of the division.
- If they split: The race stays wide open heading into the final weeks.
- If Chicago sweeps: The Bears take command, with a potential tiebreaker edge and momentum heading into the postseason.
This isn’t just about bragging rights - it’s about playoff positioning and the chance to host games in January. And for two franchises with Super Bowl aspirations, that’s everything.
A Rivalry Renewed - With Real Stakes
We’ve seen plenty of Packers-Bears games over the years. Some have meant more than others.
But two matchups in December with both teams in the hunt? That’s a rarity.
And the fact that the rematch is now a primetime showcase only adds to the drama.
Tom Brady and FOX’s top broadcast team will be on the call this weekend at Lambeau. Two weeks later, it’s Soldier Field, under the lights, with the whole football world watching.
This is what December football is supposed to look like. Cold, intense, meaningful.
Packers. Bears.
Two games. One division.
Let’s go.